September 15, 2025 | 06:19 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) denies information regarding the addition of non-organic troops in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya, Papua. Previously, news of an increase in the number of TNI troops there reportedly caused residents of Kampung Jalai to evacuate since September 11, 2025.
The Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, Infantry Colonel Candra Kurniawan, asserts that there is no deployment of new troops. "There is no addition of TNI troops, what has been done so far is the rotation of personnel whose terms of duty have ended, and they are replaced by new personnel," said Candra to Tempo on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
According to Candra, the placement of TNI personnel at posts is always planned and communicated with the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), local figures, and residents. "It is impossible to be stationed without permission, because the presence of the TNI is to protect the public. The unity of the TNI and the people are needed wherever they are and in their duties," he said.
Candra mentioned that the presence of TNI posts is aimed at ensuring the security of civilians and assisting in the development in areas that are often affected by armed conflict. "If there are posts built around residential areas, it is based on the priority of protecting the public," he said.
Previously, reports from residents and local activists mentioned the arrival of a number of non-organic TNI personnel in Kampung Jalai on September 11, 2025. The troops were reported to have occupied the buildings of the Yayasan Pendidikan and Persekolahan Katolik (YPPK) Jalai elementary school, teacher's residence, and the Jalai Catholic Church, without permission from the management. Residents also mentioned plans for the construction of a new post around the Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia (GKII) Jalai.
Pigai Wegobi, a customary youth and Coordinator of the Amnesty International Indonesia Action Group, stated that the presence of troops made the residents anxious. "The arrival of TNI personnel in the name of national security, but the security of civilians is not considered. The arrival of the TNI triggered civilians to evacuate. If they did not come there, civilians would not have evacuated," said Pigai.
According to Pigai, the Clean Indonesia Coalition Report also noted the addition of TNI posts in Intan Jaya over the past two months, with at least four to five new posts established in Wabogopone, Eknemba, Sugapa Lama, and Bilapa. Amnesty International in 2022 even noted that there were at least 17 military posts in the regency. These posts, according to residents, are often established in public facilities such as schools and churches.
Intan Jaya is one of the areas designated by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) as nine areas or militia war zones. The other areas referred to are Yahukimo Regency; Pegunungan Bintang; Puncak Jaya; Nduga; Maybrat; Dogiyai; Paniai; and Deiyai.
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